There has been a growing concern revolving around the proposed change to disability benefits. The Welfare Reform Bill was introduced into Government last February to give disabled people more opportunity to gain employment, protect the most vulnerable people and equalling benefit money in a fair and efficient way... Well, that was how the government sold it!
The trouble is, the Government was blatantly trying to cover up the cuts to the benefit system. Unfortunately for Cameron and Co. they were found out, the backlash started...and it didn’t go away.
Earlier this week a campaigner introduced the ‘Responsible Reform’ which called for changes to be made to the Disability Living Allowance and the proposed Personal Independence Payments, a new allowance to replace the current DLA. Those backing the reform report called for MPs to rethink their plans when they returned from their festive holidays. And that is exactly what happened yesterday afternoon!
Despite being a collation government half of the Liberal Democrats agreed with Labour MPs that the welfare changes should be scrapped.
260 to 216 peers voted against the proposed cuts to the employment support allowance (ESA) and 234 to 186 voted for a two-year limit on disability claims opposed to twelve months. The alteration will now cost the government £1.6b over a five year period.
Up until now our article probably only interests those with or are associated to disabled people. Let’s be honest, if you don’t fall into either of those categories you probably don’t have as strong enough objection towards the government proposals compared to those who do. But wait until you read our next paragraph, we think it will capture the interests of everyone who reads it...
The coalition government also planned to target those undergoing cancer treatment proposing cuts to their benefits as well.
The Welfare bill was also criticised for targeting sick children stipulating that those who were never unable to work will not be entitled to the new benefit system. Furthermore the government planned to scrap the ‘youth provision’ which entitles a percentage of young adults claim ESA due to their disability or illness.
Labour Shadow work and pensions secretary, Liam Byrne expressed his feelings to yesterday’s decision,
"For months Labour has been determined to stop this cruel attack on cancer patients in its tracks. And today the House of Lords agreed," he said.
The response from the Department for Work and Pensions was.
"Our plans are about returning the welfare state to its original purpose of supporting those with the most need. This means ensuring that taxpayer's money is spent on those who are too sick or disabled to work and those with the least money."
This sadly goes to show nobody controls the government and even when guidelines are overruled and thousands of lives are put into danger, the government will never back down.
